At first light, Lin Fan left home while his younger sister, Lin Xiaoyu, was still fast asleep.
He gently closed the door behind him and turned to look toward the eastern horizon. The pale dawn was gradually tinged with gold and red, and a new day had begun. He had no exams scheduled today, and there was still a full day and night before the formal assessment tomorrow morning.
But Lin Fan had no intention of sitting around.
My fist technique needs to be tempered through real combat, and my vital energy needs to be refined under pressure. He considered his options. More importantly... I need to earn some money.
Yesterday's medicine had nearly wiped out his savings, and the rice jar at home was almost empty. He would be exempt from tuition and provided with food and lodging if he got into the academy, but that wouldn't happen for another month. For now, his sister couldn't go without medicine, and they still needed to eat.
The Wilderness was the fastest way to make money—if you had the strength to come back alive.
Jiangnan City was divided into the inner city and the outer city. The inner city contained the commercial and residential districts, protected by high walls and an array. The outer city was home to industrial areas and the Buffer Zone, and beyond that lay the true "Wilderness"—where Demonic Beasts roamed and danger lurked at every turn.
Naturally, the area within five li of the city walls was considered the "Safe Zone." Soldiers patrolled it regularly, and only 1st Tier Demonic Beasts usually appeared there. It was the most popular training ground for novice hunters and academy students.
That was where Lin Fan was headed.
He didn't leave the city right away. Instead, he first went to the Mercenary Guild branch in the outer city. It was a three-story stone building, with a crossed-swords-and-blades emblem hanging over the entrance. The Martial Artists coming and going all looked fierce.
The hall was noisy and bustling, with wooden quest boards covering the walls. The official quests, posted by the military and the Martial Artist Association, were on the left; private commissions were on the right. In the middle was an area for forming teams, where many temporary groups looked for members.
Lin Fan went to check the quest board first.
[Cleanup Quest: A Steel Tooth Rat nest has been found three kilometers outside the northeastern section of the city wall. Estimated number: thirty to fifty. Claim a reward of 10 Credit Points for each Demonic Core. Team recommended. Open to Martial Artists below 2nd Grade. —Military Patrol Team]
[Gathering Quest: Collect Glow Grass, 5 Credit Points per plant. Growing area: two to four kilometers outside the western section of the city wall. —Hundred Herbs Hall]
[Escort Quest: Escort a merchant caravan to White Stone Town, seventy li away. Three-day round trip. Pay negotiable. —Liu Family Merchant House]
The Steel Tooth Rat quest suited him best. As 1st Tier Demonic Beasts, they were relatively low-risk, and the reward was decent. More importantly, there were plenty of them, making them ideal for building proficiency.
Lin Fan walked over to the team recruitment area, and several people immediately turned to look at him. He was very young and dressed plainly. At a glance, he looked like a novice from the Slum District.
"Hey, kid. Your first time here?" A bald, burly man with a face full of flesh grinned at him. "Has your hair even finished growing in, and you're already taking Wilderness quests?"
Laughter rippled through the crowd.
Lin Fan ignored him and scanned the recruiting teams. Most required applicants to have "hunted at least three 1st Tier Demonic Beasts" or have "Wilderness experience." He met neither requirement.
At last, he spotted a crude wooden sign in the corner:
[Temporary team recruiting. Clearing a Steel Tooth Rat nest. One bait position open. Pay based on contribution. Come talk if you've got the guts.]
The writing was crooked, as if it had been scribbled in a hurry.
The bait position was the most dangerous role. The bait drew the Demonic Beasts' attention and created openings for teammates to attack. It was usually filled by the weakest member of the team or someone who desperately needed money.
Lin Fan walked over.
Three men sat behind the sign. In the middle was a scar-faced man in his thirties, with three deep claw marks down his left cheek, likely left by a Demonic Beast. On his left sat a lean young man with shifty eyes and two short blades at his waist. On his right sat a silent Strongman, carrying an Iron Shield half his height on his back.
"Bait position?" Lin Fan asked.
Scarface looked him over. "How old are you? What's your cultivation level? Ever killed a Demonic Beast?"
"Sixteen. 1st Grade Martial Trainee. Never killed one." Lin Fan answered honestly.
"Tsk, a rookie." The lean young man scoffed. "Boss, this greenhorn will just get himself killed."
Scarface waved a hand. "Never having killed one doesn't mean he can't. Kid, do you know what the bait's supposed to do?"
"Draw the Demonic Beasts' attention and create an opening."
"You know that and you still want the job?" Scarface stared into Lin Fan's eyes. "Steel Tooth Rats are fast, and their teeth can bite through ordinary iron. The death rate for bait is thirty percent, and the injury rate is seventy. Even if you make it back alive, you might be missing an arm or a leg."
"I need money," Lin Fan said calmly. "And I believe I can make it back alive."
Scarface studied him for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed. "You've got guts. I'm Zhao Tie. This is Skinny Monkey, and that's Iron Shield. There used to be five of us on the team. We lost two yesterday—one died in a rat's jaws, and the other got scared out of his wits and quit. That's why we need someone."
"Why choose me as bait?" Lin Fan asked. "I'm sure plenty of people would take the job."
"Because they're either too crafty and would cut corners, or too timid and would run faster than anyone else the moment things got dangerous." Zhao Tie patted Lin Fan on the shoulder. "A greenhorn like you may lack experience, but you'll often fight the hardest. And this time... we need someone who'll fight hard."
Lin Fan caught the implication. "There's a complication with the quest?"
Zhao Tie lowered his voice. "The nest is half a kilometer farther away than the notice said, and there may be more than fifty rats. The military always reports lower numbers so they don't scare off people taking the job. But we need these Demonic Cores badly—Iron Shield's daughter is sick, and he needs money for medicine."
The Strongman carrying the shield looked up, a pleading look in his eyes.
Lin Fan thought of his sister and nodded. "I'm in. How do we split the pay?"
"By contribution. Bait gets a base share of twenty percent, and kills are counted by number. A Steel Tooth Rat Demonic Core goes for 15 Credit Points on the market, but the military pays 10. We'll split the money after we turn in the quest," Zhao Tie said. "If you're worried we'll cheat you, you can still walk away."
"No need. Let's go," Lin Fan said decisively.
A trace of admiration flickered in Zhao Tie's eyes. "All right. Get ready. Meet at the west gate in fifteen minutes. Bring your own weapon, medicine, and rations."
Lin Fan left the guild and bought a few things at a nearby general store: a roll of Hemostatic Bandage for 5 Credit Points, a small bottle of disinfectant powder for 8, and three blocks of compressed rations for 6. Then he went to a blacksmith and rented a short knife. He didn't buy one; renting cost just 2 Credit Points a day, much less than buying.
The short knife was a foot and two inches long, forged from ordinary iron, with a reasonably sharp edge. Lin Fan tested its balance. It had greater reach than a punch and was suited for dealing with small, agile Demonic Beasts.
Once he was ready, he went to the west gate.
Zhao Tie and the others were already there, checking their gear. Skinny Monkey was polishing his short blades, Iron Shield was adjusting the straps on his shield, and Zhao Tie was rubbing some kind of black ointment onto a Thick-backed Chopping Knife.
"What's that?" Lin Fan asked curiously.
"Skunk Grass juice mixed with rust," Zhao Tie said. "Steel Tooth Rats have a keen sense of smell and hate this stuff. If you smear it on your weapon, they'll hesitate for a split second. A split second can decide whether you live or die."
He tossed Lin Fan a small jar. "Apply it to the blade. Don't use too much—it stinks."
Lin Fan did as he was told. The black ointment gave off a pungent smell of rust and grass.
"Let's go." Zhao Tie slung the chopping knife over his back and led the way out of the city gate.
After they passed the last checkpoint and truly set foot in the Wilderness, Lin Fan felt the air itself change.
The air inside the city was polluted but safe. Here, it was fresh but dangerous. The scent of plants and trees mingled with a faint smell of blood and decay—the traces left by Demonic Beasts.
The paved road beneath their feet became a dirt track, then a narrow path overgrown with weeds. The trees grew thicker around them, and sunlight broke into fragments through the leaves.
Zhao Tie walked in front, his steps steady and his eyes alert. Skinny Monkey roamed along the team's flank like a real monkey, constantly darting up into the treetops to scan their surroundings. Iron Shield brought up the rear, his shield always turned toward the direction from which an enemy was most likely to come.
Lin Fan was placed in the middle—the relatively safe position for a novice.
"Watch your step. There could be traps or burrows," Zhao Tie said without looking back. "Steel Tooth Rats are good at digging. The ground near their nest is loose. If you step through and fall in, even the gods won't be able to save you."
Lin Fan looked down as he walked. Sure enough, some patches of earth were darker, as if they had been recently disturbed.
After about two quarters of an hour, Zhao Tie raised a hand to signal them to stop.
"The target area's up ahead." He pointed toward a sparse patch of woods in the distance. "See those mounds? There's a rat hole under each one. Together, they make up the nest."
Lin Fan looked over. More than a dozen mounds were scattered along the edge of the woods. The largest was half a person tall, and even the smallest was as big as a washbasin. No grass grew around them, and the ground was covered in claw marks.
"The numbers don't add up." Skinny Monkey slid down from a tree, his expression grave. "There are five more mounds than when I scouted yesterday. And... listen."
Everyone held their breath and listened.
A dense rustling came from deep in the woods, like countless claws digging through the earth. Sharp squeaks rang out now and then, rising and falling.
"They're gathering," Iron Shield said gravely. "It sounds like... they're getting ready to move or hunt."
Zhao Tie frowned. "This is trouble. Steel Tooth Rats usually roam in small groups. There are only three reasons they'd gather in large numbers: they've found a lot of food, their nest has been destroyed, or... a Rat King has been born."
"A Rat King?" Lin Fan asked.
"Steel Tooth Rats are social Demonic Beasts. Each group has between fifty and a hundred rats. If their numbers exceed a hundred, or they come across a Special Opportunity, a 'Rat King' may be born," Zhao Tie explained. "A Rat King is at least a 2nd Tier Demonic Beast. It's bigger, smarter, and can command the rat pack in battle. If one really has been born, this quest is beyond us."
"What do we do, then? Retreat?" Skinny Monkey asked.
Zhao Tie looked toward Iron Shield. The Strongman clenched his fists, struggling with his decision.
"I need money." Iron Shield's voice was hoarse. "The doctor said Xiao Ling won't last three days. The medicine... costs five hundred points."
Five hundred Credit Points—the reward for fifty Steel Tooth Rat Demonic Cores. If there was a Rat King, its Demonic Core would be worth at least a hundred points, not to mention the dozens of ordinary rats...
"Fortune favors the bold." Zhao Tie gritted his teeth. "But we need to change the plan. Lin Fan, are you still willing to be bait? It's twice as dangerous now."
Lin Fan fell silent for a moment.
His sister's pale face flashed through his mind, along with the empty rice jar at home and tomorrow's exam, which might have been tampered with.
"What do you need me to do?" he asked.
Zhao Tie pulled a package wrapped in oil paper from his clothes. Inside were several pieces of dark red jerky, reeking of blood.
"This bait's been soaked in Demonic Beast blood. Steel Tooth Rats love it," he said. "Your job is to draw the pack to the place where we've set up an ambush. See that clearing?"
He pointed to a relatively open area east of the woods, where several large rocks offered a good place to hide.
"I'll spread Beast Repellent Powder there to make a safe circle. You'll draw the rats outside it, and the three of us will attack from three directions and kill as many as we can in one go. Once you're inside the circle, you'll finish off any wounded rats and watch for stragglers."
It sounded simple, but Lin Fan knew the key was in the word "draw." He would have to stay alive while running to the ambush point with dozens, maybe even hundreds, of Steel Tooth Rats on his heels.
"The rats are fast. You can't outrun them in a straight line," Skinny Monkey said, unusually serious. "Run in a zigzag and use the trees for cover. Remember, they're not as nimble as you when turning, but don't let them surround you."
"Also, the Rat King might appear at the end, or it might be directing them from the start," Zhao Tie added. "If you see one that's especially big with gray fur, run straight toward us. Don't hesitate."
Lin Fan nodded and took the package of bait.
"Tell me when you're ready." Zhao Tie patted him on the shoulder. "Remember, staying alive comes first. If things get too bad, abandon the quest. We won't blame you."
Lin Fan took a deep breath and gripped his short knife tightly.
"Let's begin."
He headed toward the woods alone.
The closer he got to the mounds, the clearer the rustling became. The smell of blood and musk grew stronger, too. Lin Fan's heart beat faster, but his hand remained steady—a reflex honed by countless hours of practice.
When he was thirty paces from the nearest mound, he stopped and tossed a piece of bait jerky over.
It landed beside the mound, and the smell of blood spread through the air.
There was silence for three seconds.
Then the mound burst open!
Three grayish-brown shapes shot out. Each was about the size of a house cat, but more slender, with pointed snouts, sharp teeth, blood-red eyes, and claws that gleamed like metal. They pounced on the jerky and devoured it in almost an instant.
Then all six red eyes turned toward Lin Fan in unison.
"Squeak!"
With a shrill squeal, the three Steel Tooth Rats shot toward him like gray shadows!
So fast!
Lin Fan's pupils contracted, and his body instinctively sprang backward and to the side. His Minor Accomplishment Level footwork came into play. Although it was only the Basic Footwork, the twenty percent speed boost made him much faster than an ordinary 1st Grade Martial Trainee.
Whoosh!
Lin Fan swung his short knife, choosing not to fight head-on. Instead, he slashed at the foreleg of the Steel Tooth Rat in front. He knew his knife skills were still rough, and an attack aimed at the body could miss, while a leg offered a larger target.
Slice!
The blade cut across its leg, spraying blood. The Steel Tooth Rat squealed in pain, its pounce slowing slightly.
[Basic Saber Technique proficiency +5] (first real-combat bonus) [Combat Experience +1]
The Status Panel flashed before his eyes, but Lin Fan had no time to read it. The other two Steel Tooth Rats had already reached him, their open mouths revealing dagger-like incisors as they lunged for his throat and chest!
Lin Fan leaned back and drove his left fist forward at the same time!
Minor Accomplishment Level fist technique—Collapse Force!
Bang!
His fist struck the left Steel Tooth Rat in the side. It didn't look like a powerful blow, but Collapse Force penetrated its body. The rat shuddered violently, its internal organs ruptured, and blood foamed from its mouth as it crumpled to the ground.
[Killed a 1st Tier Steel Tooth Rat, fist technique proficiency +10, vital energy +3] [Combat Experience +5]
The one on his right took the opportunity to bite at Lin Fan's calf. He kicked it away, but it left two deep gashes in his trouser leg. Ordinary cloth offered no protection against those claws.
"Tch..." Lin Fan felt a burning pain in his calf, but he could still move.
The wounded Steel Tooth Rat and two more that had charged in surrounded him, baring their teeth and growling low.
Lin Fan didn't linger. He turned and ran—not toward the ambush point, but around the edge of the woods. He wanted to draw out more rats.
Sure enough, the fight and the smell of blood had stirred the entire nest.
One mound after another burst open, and gray shadows surged out like a rising tide. Ten, twenty, thirty... Lin Fan had no time to count. The rustling behind him roared like a rainstorm, and red eyes glittered like stars.
He sprinted with all his might, pushing his footwork to its limit. But the Steel Tooth Rats were faster, and the three closest to him were almost at his heels.
A zigzag!
Lin Fan suddenly veered left, using a tree to block their path. Two Steel Tooth Rats couldn't stop in time and crashed into each other, but more were already trying to flank him from both sides.
He grabbed a handful of bait jerky and flung it in different directions.
The rat pack fell into brief disarray—some lunged for the meat, while others kept after him. That bought him a moment to catch his breath.
Halfway there... Lin Fan estimated the distance to the ambush point.
Just then, an especially shrill squeal came from deep within the nest.
All the Steel Tooth Rats paused, then turned in unison like an army. Their blood-red eyes all fixed on Lin Fan.
They no longer chased him in a frenzy. Instead, they split into three groups: one charged straight at him, while the other two moved to surround him from the flanks. They were working together tactically!
The Rat King! Lin Fan's heart tightened.
Without hesitation, he threw the rest of the bait toward the flanks, then charged straight into the densest part of the rat pack!
It was an unexpected choice. Anyone else would have avoided the head-on attack. But Lin Fan knew that the rats on the flanks had already spread out. If they surrounded him, it would be over. The ones in front might be more numerous, but they were packed tightly together, making them easier to break through.
Short knife in front, fist behind.
"Get out of my way!"
Lin Fan roared. He cut down the Steel Tooth Rat lunging at him, then blasted a second one away with a punch. When a third bit at his arm, he drove his elbow into it, sending Collapse Force through its head.
[Killed a 1st Tier Steel Tooth Rat, fist technique proficiency +10] [Killed a 1st Tier Steel Tooth Rat, saber technique proficiency +8] [Combat Experience +2]
Blood sprayed and rat corpses flew as Lin Fan stabbed through the pack like a sharp blade, carving a path through it by brute force!
But he paid a price. One rat bit into his left arm, deep enough to expose bone. Claws raked three bloody furrows down his back, and another slashed his right leg.
Pain jolted through his nerves, but what spurred him on even more were the proficiency notifications flashing wildly across the Status Panel.
[Basic Fist Technique: Minor Accomplishment (1058/5000)] [Basic Saber Technique: Beginner (187/100)] [Basic Footwork: Proficient (632/1000)]
Real combat really was the fastest way to grow!
After breaking through the encirclement, Lin Fan raced toward the ambush point without looking back. The rat pack chased close behind him, now numbering more than fifty—an immense black mass.
Fifty paces, thirty paces, ten...
He saw Zhao Tie and the others hiding behind the rocks, already prepared.
"Get in the circle!" Zhao Tie shouted.
Lin Fan leaped over the line drawn on the ground in white powder—Beast Repellent Powder, whose smell Demonic Beasts hated.
The rats skidded to a halt outside the circle, scratching the ground in agitation, but they didn't dare cross the line.
"Now!" Zhao Tie roared.
The three of them charged out at once!
The cleaver strapped to Zhao Tie's back swept out like a whirlwind, splitting two Steel Tooth Rats in a single stroke. Skinny Monkey moved like a ghost, his short blade aimed at vital spots like the eyes and throat. Iron Shield charged with his shield raised, crashing into the rats like a wall. The sound of bones breaking rang out with every shield bash.
Lin Fan didn't rest. He turned and joined the fight.
He held the edge of the circle, focusing on Steel Tooth Rats trying to get around the Beast Repellent Powder or jump inside. He coordinated his short blade with his fists. His technique was still rough, but the power of his Minor Accomplishment Level fist technique made up for it. Every punch carried Collapse Force; if it landed, the Steel Tooth Rat was either dead or crippled.
[Kill... Proficiency +10...]
[Kill... Blade Technique +8...]
[Combat Experience...]
The notifications kept refreshing. Lin Fan was immersed in the rush of rapid growth. His wounds bled and his strength dwindled, yet his spirits only grew more feverish.
This was battle! This was martial arts!
The rats' numbers dwindled rapidly. From more than fifty, they fell to thirty, then twenty, then ten...
Just as everyone thought victory was within reach, a deafening shriek rang out from the direction of the nest!
The sound carried with incredible force, making their eardrums ache. The remaining Steel Tooth Rats retreated as if granted a reprieve, gathering together and crouching toward the nest.
"Fall back! It's the Rat King!" Zhao Tie's face changed dramatically.
Lin Fan looked over and saw a mound of earth slowly rise, then split open. A giant rat, as large as a wild dog, burrowed out.
Its fur was mottled gray and black, its incisors like two curved blades, and cunning red light glinted in its eyes. Most striking of all was the tuft of white fur on its forehead, forming a strange pattern.
A 2nd Tier Demonic Beast, the Steel Fang Rat King!
"This is bad." Skinny Monkey's voice was hoarse. "That beast looks tough."
The Rat King didn't attack at once. Instead, it surveyed the battlefield with its scarlet eyes, lingering for a moment longer on Lin Fan—it remembered the human who had killed the most of its kind.
Then it let out a series of short squeaks.
The dozen or so remaining Steel Tooth Rats immediately changed formation, fanning out to flank the four from both sides.
"It's giving orders." Iron Shield tightened his grip on his shield. "It's smarter than we thought."
"We can't let it get away alive." Zhao Tie gritted his teeth. "Once the Rat King grows stronger, it'll recruit Steel Tooth Rats by the dozen and form a small-scale Beast Tide. Then this whole area will never know peace."
"How do we fight it?" Lin Fan asked.
"Iron Shield and I will hold it off head-on. Skinny Monkey, look for a chance to strike at its vital spots." Zhao Tie turned to Lin Fan. "Can you... still fight?"
Lin Fan checked his status: 42 points of stamina left, 68 points of essence left, and multiple bleeding wounds. But the battle spirit in his eyes burned even brighter.
"I can."
"Good. You take care of the smaller ones. Don't let the regular rats interfere with us." Zhao Tie took a deep breath. "Brothers, it's time to fight for our lives. Iron Shield, your daughter's waiting for you at home!"
The Strongman growled, slamming his shield hard against the ground. "Kill!"
The four of them charged first.
A humanlike sneer flashed in the Rat King's eyes. It swept a forepaw through the air, and a dozen Steel Tooth Rats shot toward the four like arrows!
The battle instantly reached a fever pitch.
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